And for some reason I've found myself Googling information on Generation X and Y since I seem to fall smack in the middle of both.

What it means to be in your 20's in 2010. And ironically 2010 will be the last year I will be in my 20's.

So I actually took the survey because the questions were interesting:

How far do you have to travel to see your family?
How many jobs have you had?
How many times have you moved?
Whats your level of education?

It was interesting to know that I'm not the only one who experienced the infamous quarter-life crisis and that others in my demographic are experiencing the pressure of finding the perfect career- not only spiritually fulfilling but financially viable. A cinch right?

I must have been interested in how I fit in so I even submitted "my story." For something I threw together in the midst of a crazy work day- it was still pretty wicked-sounding.

This is what I wrote off-the-cuff (OMG I sound so Gen Y):

I moved to Melbourne, Australia four months ago to be with the love of my life. He has had a career for almost a decade and I’m just a gypsy.

After nights of arguing with my parents over a “a career path” I graduated with an English major/ Studio Art minor and I set out into the real world, waiting tables and looking into applying for the peace core.

Rather than a job or a village in Africa I went to Grad school. My thesis title was “How the Cult of Celebrity Influences Fashion Trends.”

From Graduation party to a flight to Germany I attempted selling Chinese advertising to European CEO’s. I lived in Germany, the Netherlands and Finland all within a year. The experience of new countries and culture was eventually overpowered by the spiritually and creatively unfulfilling job.

I bought a condo in my hometown and moved in with my tattoo artist boyfriend. He dumped me a few months later so I sold the joint and crammed myself into a studio apartment, sleeping on an air mattress in the middle of winter.

Bartending and soul searching I plunged myself back into school thinking I needed to go pre-med and make a difference in the world. Help people, when really, I was the one who needed help.

In the meantime my best friend decided to quit her international job so I told her I’d move with her to Sydney. We booked our flights 8 months in advance. As a treat at the 6 month mark I flew to Malaysia to visit her on my “Spring Break.”

This is where I met the Australian. We exchanged details, kisses and promised to meet up once I got to his homeland.

Our relationship rocketed forward when I arrived in OZ. A quick stint back in the states to settle my affairs and here I am in full commitment mode. The new country, living together and the big 3-0 looming.

I can’t help but think that this is exactly where I want to be at 29. I’m still searching for my dream career as a writer or Professor but I know that will come in time.

It may be non-traditional but I could never bear the weight of the white picket fence ideal. My Mom had two kids at my age and had been married for almost 10 years.

Girlfriend, wife, baby-maker? Sure, but when I’m ready. For now I have a lot of new slang to learn and need time to settle myself into a more stable life. For now.

I’ve made decisions and plenty of mistakes. Luck has nothing to do with it. Money will always be there to be made, responsibilities will always exist. My only advice is be willing to be uncomfortable and brave enough experience the unfamiliar. Strange and wonderful things will happen.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Generation X,Y,Z...Now I know my ABC's

And for some reason I've found myself Googling information on Generation X and Y since I seem to fall smack in the middle of both.

What it means to be in your 20's in 2010. And ironically 2010 will be the last year I will be in my 20's.

So I actually took the survey because the questions were interesting:

How far do you have to travel to see your family?
How many jobs have you had?
How many times have you moved?
Whats your level of education?

It was interesting to know that I'm not the only one who experienced the infamous quarter-life crisis and that others in my demographic are experiencing the pressure of finding the perfect career- not only spiritually fulfilling but financially viable. A cinch right?

I must have been interested in how I fit in so I even submitted "my story." For something I threw together in the midst of a crazy work day- it was still pretty wicked-sounding.

This is what I wrote off-the-cuff (OMG I sound so Gen Y):

I moved to Melbourne, Australia four months ago to be with the love of my life. He has had a career for almost a decade and I’m just a gypsy.

After nights of arguing with my parents over a “a career path” I graduated with an English major/ Studio Art minor and I set out into the real world, waiting tables and looking into applying for the peace core.

Rather than a job or a village in Africa I went to Grad school. My thesis title was “How the Cult of Celebrity Influences Fashion Trends.”

From Graduation party to a flight to Germany I attempted selling Chinese advertising to European CEO’s. I lived in Germany, the Netherlands and Finland all within a year. The experience of new countries and culture was eventually overpowered by the spiritually and creatively unfulfilling job.

I bought a condo in my hometown and moved in with my tattoo artist boyfriend. He dumped me a few months later so I sold the joint and crammed myself into a studio apartment, sleeping on an air mattress in the middle of winter.

Bartending and soul searching I plunged myself back into school thinking I needed to go pre-med and make a difference in the world. Help people, when really, I was the one who needed help.

In the meantime my best friend decided to quit her international job so I told her I’d move with her to Sydney. We booked our flights 8 months in advance. As a treat at the 6 month mark I flew to Malaysia to visit her on my “Spring Break.”

This is where I met the Australian. We exchanged details, kisses and promised to meet up once I got to his homeland.

Our relationship rocketed forward when I arrived in OZ. A quick stint back in the states to settle my affairs and here I am in full commitment mode. The new country, living together and the big 3-0 looming.

I can’t help but think that this is exactly where I want to be at 29. I’m still searching for my dream career as a writer or Professor but I know that will come in time.

It may be non-traditional but I could never bear the weight of the white picket fence ideal. My Mom had two kids at my age and had been married for almost 10 years.

Girlfriend, wife, baby-maker? Sure, but when I’m ready. For now I have a lot of new slang to learn and need time to settle myself into a more stable life. For now.

I’ve made decisions and plenty of mistakes. Luck has nothing to do with it. Money will always be there to be made, responsibilities will always exist. My only advice is be willing to be uncomfortable and brave enough experience the unfamiliar. Strange and wonderful things will happen.